Unfortunately, that's right.I should imagine the 'naked' cobs would collect dirt from handling over time much more that a varnished one would.
Jay, nobody (at least me) said that unfinished cobs breath. They have more surface area so they lose the heat faster (like radiators).As for breathability, in my opinion that is all myth.
You can clean them out with a toothbrush just like you would a deep sandblast.I should imagine the 'naked' cobs would collect dirt from handling over time much more that a varnished one would.
With briar, that is true, but cobs are a different story. Look how fissures develop in a finished cob over time.As for breathability, in my opinion that is all myth.